📌 You CANNOT apply for an F-1 visa without your Form I-20.
Don't have it yet? 👉 Read Form I-20 Guide to learn how to get it from your school first.
There's often confusion about what the visa is and what it does. Let's clarify.
Your F-1 visa is a stamp placed in your passport by the U.S. Department of State.
It's approximately one page in size, displays "F-1," includes your photo, and contains validity dates. It's a special visa issued only to international students.
What it does:
It grants you permission to enter the United States.
This is its primary function: to allow you to present yourself at a U.S. port of entry.
What it does NOT do:
It doesn't guarantee your legal status while studying (your I-20 does that)
It doesn't authorize employment (separate permission required)
It doesn't guarantee re-entry without additional documentation
Important distinction:
Your visa can expire while you're studying in the U.S., and this is totally normal. You only need a valid visa when entering the country. Once you're inside and enrolled, your I-20 maintains your legal status, not your visa stamp.
Think of it this way:
Visa = entry document to cross the U.S. border
I-20 = document that maintains your legal student status
Once you're in the country, the I-20 is what matters for maintaining legal status.
However: If your visa expires and you travel outside the U.S., you'll need to obtain a new visa stamp at a U.S. embassy before you can return.
Understanding this distinction is important for planning any international travel during your studies.